Fashion effects: self-limitations of the free will caused by degeneration of the free market

Abstract

The article discusses the existence of free will in the free market. The purpose of this article is to show how the free market restricts free will through the fashion effect and how an illusion of freedom is created. The article puts forward a hypothesis, which says that the market, especially the theoretical concept of the free market, limits free will. However, it gives a sense of freedom, which is a delusion. The authors see and describe an existence of a fashion effect as an example of degeneration of the free market. Fashion effect is one of the free-market processesit uses the psychological mechanisms of seduction; first to sensual, and then intellectuali.e., the biblical description of the seduction in Eden. In the degenerating free market, the goods are not required to possess practical aspects; however, they need to provoke internal conflicts.

The Economics of Exclusion: Why Inclusion Doesn't Fit Fashion's Business Model

“…The segments in between these poles-mid-market and premium-utilize a blend of activities to source competitive advantage, including brand, trend, price, and exclusivity. In each segment of the fashion market, we see that the individual product and its relative performance are almost incidental to the experience and appeal to the customer (Szocik et al, 2018). Luxury fashion customers purchase items for status and to own class signifiers; mass-market fashion customers purchase much for the same reasons, just on a delayed timeline.…”

“…Because product performance is not a significant source of competitive advantage within the fashion market (Szocik et al, 2018), fashion companies or brands tend to compete on only a few metrics: price, style innovation, or exclusivity. As tools for competitive advantage, these three levers are too few, limited in effectiveness, and ultimately the same tools available to the competition.…”